Back on TV in the new year

Jason Manford is to return to TV just weeks after tabloid revelations caused him to quit The One Show.

ITV has confirmed that he will host a full series of Comedy Rocks in the New Year – as originally reported by Chortle in September – despite the scandal.

Manford hosted a successful pilot in March, which featured guests Paul Zerdin, John Bishop, Jo Brand and Joe Pasquale.

An ITV spokesman said: ‘Jason Manford is to host a brand new series of

Comedy Rocks for ITV1.

‘Each week he will introduce some of the best new names from the comedy circuit, and each week he will also be joined by a well-known musical act.

‘The shows will be recorded near to transmission, which will ensure that no topical subjects are out of bounds.’

Manford, 29, quit the BBC One early-evening show last month after admitting raunchy online exchanges with female fans.

The series will be produced for ITV Studios by Danny Carvalho. Executive producers are Fiona Clark, Lee Connolly and Saurabh Kakkar.

Published: 1 Dec 2010